First pimples gentle skincare suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD just turned 9 and has started to get some pimples (like one painful one last week and another not as painful, but still red one this week). I would like to start her on a face wash that will help, but her skin is still young child delicate - like no pores visible and no oil; therefore, I don't feel she is ready for a heavy hitting acne wash. No other signs of puberty. I did get her a drugstore salicylic acid spot treatment ( I think Clean and Clear) when she had the really painful spot last week and that seemed to help.

Family history is pretty serious acne for Dad throughout teen years and college; I had typical teen pimples - small, from time to time, not cystic. When I was in my 20s I did get longer lasting not-whiteheads (so I guess small cysts) on my face; after antibiotics and topicals I did eventually do Accutane when about 23. So I'm also trying to not overreact in fear of her developing severe acne early on.

She does have slightly oily hair, but with some dandruff flakes, so I have been on here searching for suggestions for that, too!

We also prefer more 'natural/green' beauty products so suggestions in that realm, in addition to the usual gentle cleaners - Cetaphil and Cerave, would be great! Thanks so much!

For hair, try tea tree oil shampoo for dandruff-- it may have the added benefit of helping with acne near the hairline. 5% benzoyl peroxide wash before bed, let face dry completely + a spot treatment for individual pimples *or* differin if breakouts are more frequent or widespread. Gentle, acne friendly facial moisturizer if you notice your DD's skin drying.
We have only found benzoyl peroxide to be harsh if it's used too frequently, at too high a percentage, or isn't completely washed off. Once DS used a 10% benzoyl peroxide on his face in the shower (against my advice) and left it on for 5-10 minutes thinking it would help his acne. His face was little red and chapped for the next few days- he didn't do that again.
The key with benzoyl peroxide wash + different and spot treatment is that you have to be consistent. OTC seems to be only about 1/2 step ahead of acne-- I've noticed if DS gets out of his skin routine for a few days, breakouts come right back.

...also, OP, acne is hereditary. While it's possible your DD won't have severe acne, the odds aren't on her side. Start a good regimen now, and keep it for as long as you can before moving to prescription medication. I had terrible acne, so did my DH. DS13 isn't bad at all if he keeps a consistent skin care routine, but I expect it will ramp up quite a bit in the next few years.
I took accutane at 16 and that was the game changer. I am trying to do everything I can to keep DS off of accutane for as long as possible, but it's likely that it's in his future.

This.
If she's already having acne at 9 and your DH had it bad, her skin is likely to be similar, poor thing.

[Anonymous]

...also, OP, acne is hereditary. While it's possible your DD won't have severe acne, the odds aren't on her side. Start a good regimen now, and keep it for as long as you can before moving to prescription medication. I had terrible acne, so did my DH. DS13 isn't bad at all if he keeps a consistent skin care routine, but I expect it will ramp up quite a bit in the next few years.
I took accutane at 16 and that was the game changer. I am trying to do everything I can to keep DS off of accutane for as long as possible, but it's likely that it's in his future.

This.
If she's already having acne at 9 and your DH had it bad, her skin is likely to be similar, poor thing.

OP here - I know - I feel so badly. We in combination have bad genes for vision, orthodontics, skin, and feet!!!!! Oh, on top of our fertility issues. She def has a future of lots of skin care and custom orthotics. At least she is cute, funny, and smart, right?

Thanks again for all these suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

...also, OP, acne is hereditary. While it's possible your DD won't have severe acne, the odds aren't on her side. Start a good regimen now, and keep it for as long as you can before moving to prescription medication. I had terrible acne, so did my DH. DS13 isn't bad at all if he keeps a consistent skin care routine, but I expect it will ramp up quite a bit in the next few years.
I took accutane at 16 and that was the game changer. I am trying to do everything I can to keep DS off of accutane for as long as possible, but it's likely that it's in his future.

This.
If she's already having acne at 9 and your DH had it bad, her skin is likely to be similar, poor thing.

OP here - I know - I feel so badly. We in combination have bad genes for vision, orthodontics, skin, and feet!!!!! Oh, on top of our fertility issues. She def has a future of lots of skin care and custom orthotics. At least she is cute, funny, and smart, right?

Thanks again for all these suggestions!

Well she could be staring down a hereditary predisposition for a bunch of different mental illnesses like my DD. If that’s not the case count your blessings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the one who buys the "dots" for her daughter (and steals them for myself). She's tried a few brands but this one seems to be the most effective: https://www.amazon.com/Rael-Hydrocolloid-Pimple-Healing-Patch/dp/B07G1VKCND/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=acne+dots&qid=1582651973&sr=8-7

Thanks! Wish we could give you an Amazon commission!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

...also, OP, acne is hereditary. While it's possible your DD won't have severe acne, the odds aren't on her side. Start a good regimen now, and keep it for as long as you can before moving to prescription medication. I had terrible acne, so did my DH. DS13 isn't bad at all if he keeps a consistent skin care routine, but I expect it will ramp up quite a bit in the next few years.
I took accutane at 16 and that was the game changer. I am trying to do everything I can to keep DS off of accutane for as long as possible, but it's likely that it's in his future.

This.
If she's already having acne at 9 and your DH had it bad, her skin is likely to be similar, poor thing.

OP here - I know - I feel so badly. We in combination have bad genes for vision, orthodontics, skin, and feet!!!!! Oh, on top of our fertility issues. She def has a future of lots of skin care and custom orthotics. At least she is cute, funny, and smart, right?

Thanks again for all these suggestions!

aww, cute, funny, and smart is a winning combo.

[Anonymous]

OP back - just wanted to say she tried the Neutragena T-Gel original formula shampoo and it really helped the oily scalp and dandruff! It is really smelly while using, but a fresher scent stays in the hair. Helped with both oil control and flaking!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started my daughter around that age with Cetahphil face wash and a microfiber washcloth to use along with it. She has crazy sensitive skin so it seemed like the safest option to begin with, and at 15 it's still her combo of choice. I taught her to use it twice a day, morning and before bed, which I think really is the key more than anything else. In my own teen years going to sleep without washing my face was the number one cause of breakouts, so I really drove home to her the importance of a clean face before bed.

She still has hormonal breakouts of a cystic zit or two on her chin every couple of months and for those she's had good luck with those dot stickers that soak up all the gross stuff (I get them on Amazon).

+1 on the Cetaphil. Get the gentle and not the daily.

[Anonymous]

Acne.org products/regimen - my 11 YO DD has been using the face wash and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel for two years without issue, and her skin is super sensitive. The lotion in the regimen is too heavy for her skin. I'm in my 40s, and the 3-step acne.org regimen is the only thing that has controlled my acne in 20+ years. Highly recommended.

[Anonymous]

You could take her to a dermatologist for a consult and get suggestions on OTC washes, etc for her skin type. Kids will often be better about sticking to a skin care routine if they’ve heard it from a doctor and not just a “nagging” parent.

[Anonymous]

Korean skincare. The original and most effective pimple patches are by cosrx.

A multi-step routine can become a fun ritual you perform together. Once she gets more teenager-y she will be competent enough to do everything on her own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Korean skincare. The original and most effective pimple patches are by cosrx.

A multi-step routine can become a fun ritual you perform together. Once she gets more teenager-y she will be competent enough to do everything on her own.

Can you tell a bit more. How to do this and where to buy from?

[Anonymous]

You can buy many of the products from ulta beauty but most can be had on amazon or soko glam. CVS sells Banila Co. clean-it zero in stores.

The most highly effective and least moisture-sucking IME are:

Double-cleanse with one step oil followed by cream cleanser: Tonymoly apricot cleansing oil followed by Banila Co. cream cleanser. Just be sure to follow directions closely and use tepid water.

Peach sake or Etude house toner

Egg Pore line by skinfood

also make sure to use a non-pore clogging serum like peach sake and a water-based ("jelly") moisturiser

I know it seems like a lot of products that have potential to clog up pores. After some trial and error with K-beauty products, I found out that my skin was not oily nor acnegenic but dehydrated. This was after years of abuse from clay masks like Aztec and Neutrogena plus Stridex pads. I was drying out my skin terribly. I still have noticeable pores and occasional "big bump" spots but not nearly as bad as before. Good Luck